The Best Cordless Drill Batteries
Nickel cadmium batteries are most often used for cordless drills and other cordless power tools. These rechargeable batteries have a long shelf life and can be charged and discharged over 1,000 times. Nickel cadmium batteries are the least expensive rechargeables and can be recharged in an hour. Because of its fast recharge time and durability, the nickel cadmium rechargeable battery is well suited to power tool usage. Nickel cadmium batteries work well under different temperature extremes.
Nickel metal hydride batteries are safer than nickel cadmium batteries because there is no cadmium inside. Instead, the anode is a metal alloy that absorbs hydrogen. These batteries are also sensitive to temperature extremes and lose charge quickly in cold temperatures.
Nickel metal hydride batteries cost more than nickel cadmium batteries but have a greater energy density and can be used longer between recharges. When worn out, nickel metal hydride batteries must be recycled because the anode contains cobalt.
The lithium ion battery offers advantages over nickel-based batteries, but has disadvantages too. With twice the energy density of nickel-based batteries, the lithium ion battery pack weighs less and works longer than nickel-based batteries. The lighter weight makes the drill easier to use for long periods, putting less strain on hand and arm muscles. Lithium ion batteries need to be recharged less often but have a much shorter shelf life than nickel-based batteries. Lithium ion batteries are also more expensive.
Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries use nickel hydroxide Ni(OH)2 for the positive electrode (cathode), cadmium Cd as the negative electrode (anode) and an alkaline potassium hydroxide KOH electrolyte. Advantages to these types of batteries include a high lifespan (over 500 cycles) and feature low internal resistance. Ni-Cd batteries also cool down while recharging, which allows them to charge faster.
Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries are different from Ni-Cd batteries in that hydrogen is used as the active element in the hydrogen-absorbing negative electrode (anode). The other main difference between Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries is that Ni-MH batteries do not contain cadmium, mercury or lead. Cadmium, mercury and lead are common components in batteries and are toxic to humans and the environment.
Lithium batteries are rapidly replacing other types of rechargeable batteries due to several desirable characteristics. Lithium batteries possess a high cell voltage of 3.6 volts, which means fewer cells and associated connections and electronics. They contain no liquid electrolyte, which means they cannot leak. Lithium batteries are also much lighter than other standard disposables, as lithium is such a lightweight metal that it actually floats on water. Lithium batteries also hold more power and recharge faster than other batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries operate at different efficiencies than nickel-cadmium batteries. In general, nickel-cadmium batteries last longer than lithium-ion batteries. The typical lithium-ion battery lasts for approximately three years, while nickel-cadmium batteries last for around five years. Lithium-ion batteries designed for use in power tools offer around 500 charge/discharge cycles while nickel cadmium portable power tool batteries offer up to 1,000 charge/discharge cycles.
Nickel metal hydride batteries are safer than nickel cadmium batteries because there is no cadmium inside. Instead, the anode is a metal alloy that absorbs hydrogen. These batteries are also sensitive to temperature extremes and lose charge quickly in cold temperatures.
Nickel metal hydride batteries cost more than nickel cadmium batteries but have a greater energy density and can be used longer between recharges. When worn out, nickel metal hydride batteries must be recycled because the anode contains cobalt.
The lithium ion battery offers advantages over nickel-based batteries, but has disadvantages too. With twice the energy density of nickel-based batteries, the lithium ion battery pack weighs less and works longer than nickel-based batteries. The lighter weight makes the drill easier to use for long periods, putting less strain on hand and arm muscles. Lithium ion batteries need to be recharged less often but have a much shorter shelf life than nickel-based batteries. Lithium ion batteries are also more expensive.
Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries use nickel hydroxide Ni(OH)2 for the positive electrode (cathode), cadmium Cd as the negative electrode (anode) and an alkaline potassium hydroxide KOH electrolyte. Advantages to these types of batteries include a high lifespan (over 500 cycles) and feature low internal resistance. Ni-Cd batteries also cool down while recharging, which allows them to charge faster.
Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries are different from Ni-Cd batteries in that hydrogen is used as the active element in the hydrogen-absorbing negative electrode (anode). The other main difference between Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries is that Ni-MH batteries do not contain cadmium, mercury or lead. Cadmium, mercury and lead are common components in batteries and are toxic to humans and the environment.
Lithium batteries are rapidly replacing other types of rechargeable batteries due to several desirable characteristics. Lithium batteries possess a high cell voltage of 3.6 volts, which means fewer cells and associated connections and electronics. They contain no liquid electrolyte, which means they cannot leak. Lithium batteries are also much lighter than other standard disposables, as lithium is such a lightweight metal that it actually floats on water. Lithium batteries also hold more power and recharge faster than other batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries operate at different efficiencies than nickel-cadmium batteries. In general, nickel-cadmium batteries last longer than lithium-ion batteries. The typical lithium-ion battery lasts for approximately three years, while nickel-cadmium batteries last for around five years. Lithium-ion batteries designed for use in power tools offer around 500 charge/discharge cycles while nickel cadmium portable power tool batteries offer up to 1,000 charge/discharge cycles.
